Considering AS400/iSeries Applications Cloud Migration? This is For You

The AS400 system, a top choice for enterprise computing for decades, is known for its integrated architecture, scalability, security, and data management capabilities.

The AS400 iSeries is another name of the IBM power systems server line. The IBM iSeries is designed to provide high availability and uptime.

It came to existence in 1980, and technically AS400 is the name of the first generation. Now, it’s called IBM iSeries, but most veterans prefer to use the former term AS400 only.

AS400, IBM i, IBM iSeries — you can call it whatever you want, but this system is an invisible force behind many IT organizations. Nearly 100,000 businesses rely on this incredible, robust, and resilient platform to run their core business operations.

But no better, cheaper, and smarter alternative has emerged for decades. IBM continues to innovate and keep the AS400 system alive and running.

Let’s get going without further ado.

Before diving deep into the topic, it’s worth spending a little time to better understand why do businesses still rely on AS/400?

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Why Do Companies Still Use AS-400 If It’s Outdated?

Although the IBM iSeries AS400 is considered old, it is highly reliable.

Close to 43% of AS/400 users said that they are sharing most of their workload on iSeries, which shows its constant relevance ~ According to a report by Fortra.

Here are a few reasons why the AS 400 system is far from dead.

• It is a workhorse – Many companies have a single machine that keeps ticking year after year. Distributed systems worldwide are built for redundancy and failure, which is an admirable model, but the IBM AS400/iSeries is built to last.
• It runs the core business applications – Whether it’s an ERP or any in-house developed business-specific application, everything is painstakingly written and implemented around AS400. And new software is hard to implement, or they do not exist.
• It integrates seamlessly – The AS400 system has the ability to integrate with legacy and modern technologies.
• It offers multiple options – You can choose from different AS400 IBM i systems such as powerful servers or mid-range servers as per your convenience.

Bad News: The AS 400 systems are helping businesses run their mission-critical applications on-premises. However, there are several areas where AS400 falls short, especially around scalability, cost, and maintenance.

Good news: With the As400/i series Cloud Application migration, your business can optimize AS400 applications, experience maximum uptime, improve scalability, and lower the overall operational costs.

Put simply: AS400 Migration to Cloud is your answer to modernizing legacy systems and efficiently meeting the business world’s needs.

We know you have many Why’s, How’s, and What’s rumbling around your mind.

Sit back and get ready to explore – IBM AS400 cloud migration.

Why Migrating AS400 Applications to the Cloud Is the Need of the Hour?

While leaders, like yourself, anticipate modernization, they also want to hold on to the AS400 business logic.

Among many AS400 modernization preferences, AS400 cloud hosting claims the top spot.

AS400 migration to cloud is the process of migrating AS400 applications to cloud infrastructure. This migration cultivates an agile IT environment, leading to impeccable resilience and a significant competitive edge.

This approach frees your organization from the constraints of legacy systems, offering multifarious benefits.

Let’s look at why AS 400 migration is a must for modern enterprises –

Better Agility

By sticking to the age-old system, you risk innovation and reduce agility. This gives your competitors the upper hand to grab emerging opportunities first.

We bet that, in this competitive space, you cannot afford a weakened edge, while your competitors leverage cloud-powered agility and innovation.

Cost Savings

Are you trying to cut costs?

IBM AS400 Cloud migration may be the best solution.

Over 66% of businesses realized cost savings with cloud migration, as per a report by Flexera.

With AS400 migration to cloud, you experience significant cost savings on maintaining on-premises data centers. Up next, most of the cloud-computing services providers offer pay-as-you-go models. With this type of set up, you only pay for the resource that you use.

This proves advantageous for companies, particularly with limited budgets. Cloud migration doesn’t only save costs, it also benefits your entire business process.

Enhanced Security

The importance of proper security measures in place has never been higher.

Legacy AS400 applications often fall short against sophisticated cyber security threats, becoming the easy targets of cyber villains.

Cloud migration breathes new life into your AS400 system by securing the infrastructure plus adding advanced security features to protect the system against evolving cyber threats.

AS400/iSeries application migration has immense benefits. But it is not without its share of challenges.

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Up next – let’s uncover the top challenges involved in IBM AS400 cloud migration to understand the process better.

What are the Common Pitfalls in the AS400 Cloud Hosting Process?

AS400 cloud hosting is a powerful solution that can easily manage sizeable AS400 applications in the cloud environment.

But what are the challenges this transition might produce?

Let’s look into a few of them.

Complex Architecture of the Legacy System

Certain AS400 applications may require collocation for optimal service quality whereas others may function effectively with AS400 cloud hosting solutions.

If your existing system has a complex IT infrastructure, a seamless transition becomes challenging as different aspects call for meticulous coordination.

Scarcity of AS400 Developers

Another popular challenge associated with iSeries hosting is finding capable IBM i developers.

You need programmers carrying hands-on experience with AS400 technologies as well as cloud solutions to carry out an effective transition.

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Time-Consuming Process

IBM i AS400 cloud transition can be a complex and time-consuming process.

This complexity can generate a misleading perception and discourage potential stakeholders.

Inefficient Data Recovery

Most cloud-computing providers have a disaster recovery plan in place.

However, ensuring a seamless transition and testing its effectiveness can bring another set of challenges.

AS400/iSeries Application Dependencies

Application dependency is a critical challenge in AS400 cloud hosting.

Because decade-old legacy systems have deep interdependencies that need meticulous attention during the transition.

Employee Resistance

Employee resistance remains a crucial challenge for many leaders, like yourself.

Introducing cloud migration may not be welcomed by all stakeholders, especially tenured employees.

They may find the transition to be more disruptive than productive and prefer to stick with the status quo.

Have these challenges discouraged you from embracing the AS400/i series Cloud Application migration?

Being an IBM Silver Business Partner with 20+ years of experience, we know a surefire way to success – it’s in the process.

Moving forward, let’s explore how you can overcome these cloud migration challenges and embrace a seamless transition.

How to Overcome the AS400 Cloud Migration Challenges?

It would be an understatement to claim that IBM i AS400 application migration to the cloud is easy.

But it is worth the effort, provided you follow a strategic approach.

Let’s dive straight into the approach without further ado.

The right approach to AS400 application transition to the cloud:

Migration Planning

Successful planning is the first step toward successful cloud migration.

This step involves –

Assessment of legacy system

Assessing the iSeries infrastructure, evaluating its complexities, and dependencies on data, and spotting critical elements for smooth migration.

Develop a Transition Strategy

Next, building a futureproof migration strategy focused on phased implementation, resource planning, and short-term and long-term goals.

Engage Key Stakeholders

Involving key stakeholders since the start of the project to align expectations and gather insights when required.

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AS400 Application Migration to Cloud

This is the key stage for successful iSeries application migration to the cloud.

It includes:

Data Migration

Carefully transferring AS400 data and applications to the cloud, ensuring data security and mitigating risks of data leakage.

Testing

Next in the process, is carrying out stringent testing to ensure top-notch performance and compatibility within the cloud environment.

Phased Execution

The last phase is opting for a phased migration approach to maximize resource allocation, minimize disruption, and focus on complex applications.

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Post-Migration Optimization

Often underestimated, this process is important for fine-tuning application performance, ironing out the inefficiencies, and ensuring excellence in the cloud environment.

It involves:

Monitoring Application Performance

Constantly monitoring system performance, addressing security breaches, optimizing resources optimization, identifying potential loopholes, and resolving them on time.

Training and Support

Providing constant support to the end-users to familiarize them with the system and ensure effortless adoption.

This thought-out plan is a one-stop answer to your AS400 cloud hosting challenges and successful AS400 application migration.

If you have reached this far, it’s clear you are interested in the AS400 application modernization through cloud migration.

Since migration is a one-off event, it’s important to choose the most capable iSeries service provider to support the initiative.

Wondering “Why should I consider roping in an AS400 consultant?”

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Let’s get going to uncover – how roping in an AS400 cloud migration service provider proves to be a game-changer for your cloud migration process.

How Does an AS400 Services Provider Ease AS400 iSeries Cloud Application Migration?

An AS400/iSeries service provider brings in a team of professionals who understand your user’s needs –

• They understand you need AS400 iSeries developers, but you do not have the headcount. Or you have the required headcount, but you do not want to spend a hefty amount on training AS400 developers.
• They realize that you suspect the high turnover of staff is because of daily production support and maintenance programming for the AS400 applications.
• They recognize that you are purchasing and implementing new systems developed on different technologies like Java and .NET. And you need the most experienced people with master skills of AS400 to catch up with the original setup.

Could you relate to any of these?

If so, an expert AS400 services provider is all you need.

Looking for a reliable AS400 service provider in the USA?

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Well, an organization like Integrative Systems has the answer to all your problems related to AS400.

Integrative Systems – AS400/iSeries Services Partner of Your Choice

At Integrative Systems, we have a team of experienced in-house AS400 developers.

Need a team of dedicated AS400 programmers as an extension of your in-house team? We can deploy just right developer/s with the exact skills you need within 2 days.

At Integrative Systems, we have a proven track record of providing effective IBM AS400 “production support” services worldwide.

Our IBM iSeries consultants provide additional services to fully support your AS400 operations – from administration to application enhancements, deployment, and maintenance support.

We bring in more than 2 decades of experience in AS400/ iSeries development and have worked for various industry verticals like banking and finance, insurance, manufacturing, distribution, and retail.

Our team of AS400 experts is comprised of highly skilled and experienced senior system engineers who strive to provide best-in-class support for existing and repeatedly emerging issues.

Think we are the match you’ve been looking for?

Drop us a line at [email protected] and team our experts will get back to you within 2 business days.